Apparatus and methods for producing openings and/or slits on strip material and the like



3,251,265 ND/OR May 17, 1966 D. s. cvAcHo ETAL APPARATUS AND METHODS FORPRODUCING OPENINGS A SLITS ON STRIP MATERIAL AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed July 18, 1962 THEIR ATTORNEYS y 1966 D s. CVACHO ETAL 3,251,265

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING OPENINGS AND/0R SLITS ON STRIPMATERIAL AND THE LIKE Filed July 18, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 THEIRATTORNEQS May 17, 1966 D. s. cvAci-lo ETAL APPARATUS AND METHODS FORPRODUCING OPENINGS A SLITS ON STRIP MATERIAL AND THE LIKE Filed July 18,1962 ND/OR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-9A INVENTORS DANIEL s. CVACHO GEORGE o.

BYJAMES A B0 YAN JR. WLING WILLIAM C. WHITAKER AZW, Jw/JZQ THEIRATTORNEYS 3,251,265 ND/OR May 17, 1966 D. s. CVACHO ETAL METHODS FORPRODUCING OPENINGS A ON STRIP MATERIAL AND THE LIKE APPARATUS AND SLITS5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 18, 1962 INVENTO'RS CVACHO BRYAN,JR. BOWLINGC. WHITAKER M awr THEIR ATTORNEYS May 17, 1966 5, cv c L 3,251,265

APPARATUS METHODS FOR PR CING o INGS AND/OR SL ON STRIP MATERIAL AND THIKE Filed July 18, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A I80 0 s V '80 INVENT R w DANIs. CVACHO EOR D. BRYAN JR. B AMES BOWLING H6 '6 WILLlA c. WHITAKER THEIRATTORNEYS United States Patent This invention relates to apparatus andmethods for producing openings and/ or slits in strip material and thelike.

One feature of this invention includes apparatus and methods forproducing pairs of opposite openings along a strip or the like, withmeans to produce slits between pairs of openings. The production of theopenings permits the production of the slits without harming the stripsuch as by tearing and the like.

Another feature of this invention includes a pair of mutuallycooperating strip altering tool constructions to alter a stripconstruction and the like, with means to cause such tool constructionsto rotate about respective axes, and with means to maintain such toolconstructions in a constantly fixed oriented direction to cooperate witheach other during rotation to alter such strip construction.

Another feature of this invention includes the use of a main sunconstruction rotatable about a main sun axis, an offset sun constructionrotatable about an offset sun axis, a main planet construction carriedby the main sun construction, an offset planet construction carried bythe offset sun construction, a strip altering tool construction carriedby such main planet construction, and an orienting construction makingsaid tool construction and said otiset planet construction to cause suchtool construction to rotate about such main sun axis in a constantlyfixed oriented direction.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a pair of sunconstructions and a pair of offset sun constructions of the characterdescribed in the immediately preceding paragraph, which pairs cooperatewith each other to alter a strip of material and the like.

Another feature of this invention includes constructions in which suchpairs may carry opening producing means and/or slit producing meanssequentially to produce openings and slits in a strip of material andthe like.

Another feature of this invention includes a generally cylindricalmember with strip altering tool constructions along which a striptangentially travels, with means to compensate for the tangential travelof said strip.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide apparatus havingone or more features herein disclosed.

Another object of this invention is to provide methods having one ormore features herein disclosed.

Other objects are apparent from this description, from the appendedclaimed subject matter, and from the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system for forming cansand the like, according to this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a strip of strip material whichis being punched and slitted by a portion of the system of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a strip punching andslitting construction which may be used in the system of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic end view of a portion of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical cross section of a portion of anotherembodiment of a strip punching ap- 3,251,265 Patented May 17, 1966paratus which also has many of the features of the strip slittingapparatus.

FIGURE 6 is a view transverse to FIGURE 5, and taken along the line 6-6of FIGURE 5'.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic showing of an indexing drive for use with theembodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4 or of the embodiment of FIGURES 5 and 6.

FIGURE 8 is a diagram showing the zones of tangential compensation ofthe cylindrical members used with this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a view taken along the line 99 of FIG- URE 5, and showing apunch and die construction.

FIGURE 9A is a view similar to FIGURE 9, but showing the cutting orslitting knife construction.

FIGURE 10 is a diagram showing the relative axial positions of the sunconstructions and the planet constructions used with this invention.

FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along the line 1l-11 ofFIGURE 5.

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along the line 12-12 ofFIGURE 5.

FIGURE 13 is a cross section taken along the line 1313 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged diagrammatic transverse cross section alongline 1414 of FIGURE 5 to show the means to adjust relative rotationalpositions between the gears and the sun construction.

FIGURE 15 is a diagrammatic view along the line 1515 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a diagrammatic view along the line 16-46 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged diagrammatic showing of the punch and diemembers.

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged diagrammatic showing of the knife members.

Certain words indicating direction, relative position, etc., are used inthis application for the sake of clearness and brevity. However, it isto be understood that these words are used only in connection with thedrawings of this application, and that the actual devices when in usemay have different directions and relativepositions, and still comewithin the purview of the invention. Examples of such words arevertical, horizontal, upper, lower, etc.

Referring to FIGURE 1, strip material is prepared in a strip preparingapparatus 20 where strips of can forming material, such as aluminousstrips, may be unwound from strip coils. Such strips may also becarefully joined together. If such strip material has recurring patternsto be displayed on each of the cans which are to be made, such joiningmeans may effectively join the various strips in a manner to preservethe longitudinal continuity and relationship of the patterns as theyrecur on the completely joined strip. This strip material emerges fromthe apparatus 20 as indicated at 22 and may be fed to a gravitationaladjusting feed 24 which may be a roll swingingly held by the linkconstruction 26. The roll 24 may rise and fall while being supported bysuch line construction 2 6. The roll 24- may rise and fall to adjust forany slight 'diiference in the rate of strip travel at 22 as compared tothe rate of travel at 28.

The strip, as it passes 28, may be sidewise adjusted by the rollconstructions 30 to place the strip 23 in correct lateral position withrespect to the punching and slitting apparatus elsewhere described. Theroll constructions 30 may have axe-s slightly less or more than withrespect to the longitudinal travel of the strip to move it against aside guiding member.

The strip 28 passes through the feed roller construction 31, which mayinclude a pair of rolls 3 2, 34, which produce a dragging actioncontrolled by the control means 36. The strip then passes, as indicatedat 38, past a plurality of strip altering tool constructions, such asthe pair of tool constructions and 42. Thereafter, the strip, asindicated at 44, passes through the discharge construction which mayinclude a pair of rolls 46 and 48 which may produce a slight pullingaction controlled by the control means 50.

While passing through'the means 40 and 42, a strip as shown at 38 inFIGURE 2 may have pairs of punched out openings 52 and 54 produced bythe means 40. Thereafter, the strips may have slits 5'6 transversely cutby the means 42 which slits extend between pairs of punched out openings52 and 54.

The controllers 36 and/or may be controlled by an electric eye 58 whichis sensitive to some marking or other on strip material. The electriceye 58 corrects the register of the punching and slitting operationswith respect to the patterns 60 that may be present on the strip. Thepatterns 60 may recur at proper intervals and may be of correct lengthto be correctly integrated with the can tubes 62 which are produced bythis apparatus. For example the electric eye may be sensitive to somemark on the patterns 60 and to one of the punched openings 5 2.

After the strip has been punched and slitted, the strip may continue at64 and may be delivered to the apparatus 66 where the strip is foldedtogether, so that the strip edges 68 and 70 are brought together andseam welded to form a continuous tube. The punched openings 52 and 54are sufliciently spaced from the edges 68 and 70 so the continuity ofthe strip is maintained as it travels through the apparatus 66 and whileit is beingformed into a continuous tube.

The apparatus 66 produces the continuous tube 72 which has the partialslits 56, and the tube is maintained in continuous condition by thesmall unslitted portions 74, between the openings 54 and 56, asindicated at the left end of FIGURE 1.

Thereafter, the continuous tube 72 is severed by the severing means 76,to produce relatively short can producing tubes 62 which may bedelivered by conveying means 78 to any desired place, such as the canproducing apparatus 80. The end portions of the can may be added, aswell as the contents of the can if desired at the apparatus 80. Theapparatus 80 may be a canning factory relatively distant fromtheapparatus 66. Also the apparatus 80 may be an apparatus in which endapplying means are provided to apply only one of the ends to the smallcan or tube 6 2, and from which such partially completed cans areforwarded to the canning apparatus or factory as desired.

The apparatus at 20 and 66 and '76 and 80 may be any suitable type ofapparatus for performing the steps and functions herein described.

The strip altering tool constructions 40 and 42 are now furtherdescribed.

The strip altering tool constructions 40 and 42 may include two pairs ofgenerally cylindrical members 82, 84, and 86, 88, FIGURES 1 and 3,between which the strip 38 is sequentially passed. The strip 38tangentially travels between the cylindrical members 82, 84 and 86, 88at a substantially uniform speed.

The cylindrical members 82, 84 and 86, 88 are substantially identical inthe major supporting parts.

Each of these members 82, 84, 86 and 88 carries a tool construction torotate about the respective main sun axes 81, '83, 85 and 87, FIGURE 3.However, the tool constructions of members 82 and 84 may be pairs ofopening forming dies and punches 92 which produce the openings' 52 and54 of the strip 38. The tool constructions of members 86 and 88 may bethe cutting or slitting knives 94 and 96 which produce the slits 56 inthe strip 38.

The formation of the openings 52, 54 in the strip 38 prevents the knives94 and 96 from banning or tearing the strip while forming the slits 56.

Means are provided to maintain the tool constructions, such as dies 90,punches 92 and knives 94 and 96, in constantly fixed oriented directionwhile they are cooperating with each other. For example, in FIGURE 3,the dies 90 are in constantly fixed upward orientation throughout therotation of the cylindrical member 82. The punches 92 are in constantlyfixed downward orientation throughout the rotation of the cylindricalmember 84. The knives 94 are in constantly fixed upward orientationthroughout the rotation of the cylindrical member 86. The knives 96 arein constantly fixed downward orientation throughout the rotation of thecylindrical member 88.

Because of this constantly fixed oriented direction of the toolconstruction dies 90, punches 92 and knives 94 and 96, these toolconstructions cooperate and engage with each other to punch and slit thestrip 38.

The tool constructions 9th, 92 and 94, 96 must be kept in verticalalignment with each other and must correctly produce the future endforming openings 52, 54 and slits 56 during approximately a 24 are A ofrotation, as indicated in FIGURE 8. The cylindrical members 82 and 84(and 86 and 88) must have their dies 90 and punches 92 (or knives 94 and96) vertically aligned with each other and with the proper portion ofthe strip 38 from the position B to the position C, FIGURE 8.

Since the strip 38 preferably is moved leftwardly at a uniform speed, ithas a tangential travel with respect to the cylindrical orbits 82A and84A. This requires the dies at 90A and the punches at 92A (and the sameis true of the knives 94 and 96) to travel at a relatively high angularspeed at 90A, 92A, which gradually diminishes in angular speed to thecentral positions 9813, 923 where the angular speed of rotation exactlyequals the linear speed of the strip 38. From the positions 9013, 9213to the positions 90C, 920 the angular speed of rotation must graduallyincrease to maintain the required vertical alignment with the punchedopenings 52, 54 (and the same is true of the knives 94 and 96 withregard to the slits 56) until the positions 90C and 92C are reached.

In this manner the speed of travel of the tool constructions 90, 92, 94and 96 is periodically altered, as these tool constructions alter thestrip by punching and slitting, while compensating for the tangentialtravel of the strip construction, as shown and described in connectionwith FIGURE 8.

-There are as many angles A of travel produced in the cylindricalmembers 82, 84, 86 and 88 as there are tool constructions on suchcylindrical members.

The electric eye 58 may alter and control the speed of rotation of thecylindrical members while they travel between the angles A: tocompensate for any slight longitudinal displacement of the strip withrespect to the patterns 60.

This periodically altered speed of angular travel of the cylindricalmembers 82, 84 and 86, 88 may be accomplished by any suitable means. Forexample, an indexing" means 108 may be provided, as shown in FIGURES 3and 7, to produce this type of motion.

An input shaft 192 and worm or worm wheel 104 may be rotated at uniformspeed. The worm wheel 104 may be so shaped that it has speed alteringportions 106 and 108 which produce an altering speed on the rollers 118of the gear wheel 112 eventually to produce the desired altering speedat the angles A of FIGURE 8.

The worm 104 also has a uniform speed portion 114 which rotates the gear112 at a uniform angular speed eventually to cause a uniform angularspeed of rotation of the cylindrical orbits 82A and 84A, FIGURE 8, (aswell as of corresponding orbits of cylindrical members 86 and 88) whilethe cylindrical members 82 and 84 carry another pair of strip alteringdies and punches 98 and 92 into engagement with each other and with thestrip 38 at another angle A.

The electric eye 58 may slightly vary the speed of rotation of the shaft182 while the worm part 114 engages the rollers 110 to correct theregister of the holes 52, 54 and slits 56 with thepatterns 6t The gear112 may drive a shaft 116 at these perlodically varying speeds anduniform speeds. The shaft 116 in turn may drive, directly or indirectly,one of the cylindrical members 82, 84, 86 or 88 and such driven membermay, in turn, be geared to and drive the other members.

For example, the shaft 116 may drive an intermediate gear 118. The gear118 may drive another gear 128 which drives the cylindrical member 82.The gear 120 may drive the remainder of the gear train 122, 124, 126 and128. Gear 122 drives cylindrical member 84. Gear 124 is an intermediateidler gear which drives gear 126. Gear 126 drives cylindrical member 88.Gear 128 drives cylindrical member 88.

It may be inconvenient to provide a worm wheel 104 and gear wheel 112which has the same number of stations to correspond to the number oftools 90, 92, 94 and 96 on the cylindrical members 82, 84, 86 and 88. Tocompensate forthis, the gear 118 may be a ratio varying gear to cause agreater or lesser'number of speed varying stations in the members 82,84, 86 and 88 than are provided in the gear 112.

For example, the cylindrical members 82, 84, 86 and 88 shown in FIGURES3 and 4 have five tool stations. If the indexing gear 112 should have adifferent number of indexing gears, such as eight (or four, etc.) thenthe gear 118 may vary the ratio of rotation between gear 112 and themembers 82-86. The gear 118 may provide an 85 or a 4-5 gear ratio, asthe case may be.

The cylindrical members 82, 84, 86 and 88 of FIG- URES 3 and 4 have fivetool stations. FIGURES 5, 6 and 9-14 show only four tool stations forconvenience in illustration. However, the same reference numerals areused to indicate substantially identical members and parts thereof inall of these figures, since the numberof tool stations and indexingstations may be varied as desired.

The constantly fixed oriented directions of the tool constructions 90,92, 94 and 96 may be maintained by sun and planet constructions now tobe described.

The plurality or pairs of strip altering tool constructions 48 and42 mayeach comprise a pair of main sun constructions 82, 84 and 86, 88, FIGURE3.

Each of these pairs of main sun constructions 82, 84-

and 86, 88 may have substantially identical supporting means. Therefore,a specific description will now be given concerning the pair of main sunconstructions 82, 84, but it is to be understood that such specificdescription is equally applicable to the pair of main sun constructions86, 88. The only substantial difference is that the constructions 82, 84carry punch and die strip altering tools 92, 90, and the constructions86, 88 carry slitting knife strip altering tools 94, '96. However, suchdifference does not materially affect the main supporting structures nowto be described.

Each of the pairs of main sun constructions 82, 84' are respectivelyrotatable about a pair of main sun axes 81, '83, as indicated by therespective radii 81A, 83A, FIG- URE 5.

A pair of offset sun constructions 130, 132 are respectively rotatableabout a pair of offset sun axes 134, 136, as indicated by the respectiveradii 134A, 136A.

A pair of main planet constructions 138, 148 may be respectivelycarriedby said main sun constructions 82 and 84.

Such main planet constructions may respectively include a plurality ofmain planet bearings 138A, 138B, and 1401A and 140B.

The main planet bearings 138A and 138B have main planet axes 139. Thebearings 138A, 138B rotate on radii 139A.

A pair of offset planet constructions 142, 144 may be carried by saidoffset sun constructions 130, 132. Such offset planet constructions mayrespectively include a plurality of offset planet bearings 142A and144A.

The offset'planet bearings 142A and 142B rotate about offset planetbearing axes 143, which axes 143 rotate on radii 143A.

A pair of strip alterning tool constructions 146, 148 may berespectively orbitally carried by said main planet constructions 138 and140 in mutually engaging relationship, while being orbitally carried.Such constructions 1 46, 148 may each respectively include a pluralityof tool supporting bars 150 and 152. The .bars 150 may each support apair of separated dies 98. The bars :152 may each support a pair ofseparated punches 92. The punches 92 and dies mutually engage each otherto punch openings 52,54 in strip 38 while being orbitally carried.

Orienting constructions may be provided respectively connecting the toolconstructions 146 and 148 (and including the bars 150 and .152 and thedies 90 and punches 92) with the said respective planet constructions142, 144 to cause said tool constructions 146 and 148 to rotate aboutsaid respective main sun axes 81 and 83 in a constantly fixed orienteddirection to cooperate with each other during rotation .to alter thestrip 38.

For example, the bars 150, which support the dies 90, may be carried bycylindrical main planet bearing stu-b shafts 154 and 154B within themain planet bearing members 138A and 138B. The offset planet bearingstub shafts 156 .are held within the offset planet bearings 142A and arerigidly and eccentrically connected to the stub shafts 154A.

This relationship of the stub shafts 154A and 156 maintains the bars 158and the dies 98in a constantly fixed upward oriented direction. Thisupward orientation is constantly maintained throughout the rotation,because. the stub shafts 154A rotate about the main sun axis 81 andthestub shafts 156 rotate about the offset sun axis 134, as is evidentfrom FIGURE 6.

In a somewhat similar manner the bars 152, which support the punches 92,may be carried by cylindrical main planet bearing stub shafts 158A and158B within the main planet bearing members A and 148B. The offsetbearing stub shafts :168 are held within the offset plane-t bearings144A and are rigidly and eccentrically connected to the stub shafts158A.

This relationship of the stub shafts 158A and 160 maintains the bars 152and the punches 92 in a constantly fixed downward oriented direction.This downward orientation is constantly maintained throughout therotation because the stub shafts 158A rotate about the main sun axis 83and the stub shafts 16 rotate ab-out the offset sun axis 136, as isevident from FIGURE 6.

The foregoing detailed description of the strip altering toolconstruction 40, with the constant orientation of the punches 92 anddies 90 applies substantially in identical manner to the strip alteringtool construction 42 except that the bars and 152 of the construction 42carry respectively constantly upwardly directed slitting knives 94 andconstantly downwardly directed slitting knives 96 which rotate toproduce mutually engag- -ing slitting relationship in engagement withthe strip 38 while being orbitally carried. The knives 94 and 96 producethe slits 56 between the openings 52 and 54 because of thesynchronization between the constructions 40 and 42 and the strip 38elsewhere described.

The pair of main sun constructions 82, 84 (as well as the pair 86 and88) are respectively rotatable about a pair of stationary support shafts162 and i164.

The stationary support shaft 162 has a main sun bearing construction166A and 166B surrounding the main sun axis 81. The stationary shaft 162also has an offset bearing construction 168 surrounding the offset sunaxis 134 which is parallel to main sun axis 81.

The stationary shaft 162 is press "fitted in the rectangular suppontblocks 162A and 162B.

The stationary shaft 164 is press fitted in the rectangular supportblocks 164A and 1164B.

The blocks 162A, 162B, 164A, 164B are spaced by the accurate spacingblocks 165A and 165B.

The main sun bearing construction 166A and 166 B may include thestationary bearing stub portions 169A and 169B of shaft 162 which arecoaxial with main sun axis 81. The constructions 166A, 166 B alsoinclude the roller or ball bearings 170A and 170B which are also coaxialwith sun axis 81.

The offset bearing construction 168 may include the stationary offsetstub shaft portion 172 of shaft 162 which stub shaft is coaxial with theoffset sun axis 134. The offset construction 168 also includes theroller or ball bearings 174 which are also coaxial with offset sun axis134.

A main sun sleeve construction 176, 17 8 and 180 is rotatable on saidmain sun bearing construction 166A, 166B, including stubs 169A and16913, and bearings 170A and 17013. I

An offset sun wheel construction 182 is rotatable on said offset sunbearing construction.

The main planet construction 138, 138A, 1383 is carried by the portion178 of the main sun sleeve 176, 17 8, 180. The strip severing toolconstruction, including the dies 90, is carried on the main planetbearing construction 138. The offset planet bearing construction 142 iscarried by the offset sun wheel construction 182.

The orienting construction includes .a lever construction produced bythe stub shafts 154A and 156 with the fulcrum produced by stub shaft154A and a handle produced by stub shaft 156 which is held by the offsetplanet bearing construction 142A. This causes the dies 90 to be in aconstantly fixed upward oriented direction.

Likewise the stationary shaft 164 has a main sun bearing construction184A and 18413 surrounding the main sun axis 83. The stationary shaft162 also has an offset bearing construction 186 surrounding the offsetsun axis 136, which is parallel to axis 83.

The main sun bearing construction 184A, 184B may include the stationarybearing stub portions 188A and 188B of shaft 164 which are coaxial withthe main sun axis 83. The construction 134A and 184B also include theroller or ball bearings 190A, 1903 which are co axial with sun axis 83.

The offset bearing construction 186 may include the stationary offsetstub shaft portion 192 of shaft 164 which stub shaft is coaxial with theoffset sun axis 136. The offset construction 186 also includes theroller or ball bearings 194 which are coaxial with offset sun axis 136.

A- main sun sleeve construction 196, 198, 200 is rotatable on the mainsun bearing construction 184A, 184B including stubs 188A and 188B andbearings 190A and 190B.

An offset sun wheel construction 202 is rotatable on the offset sunbearing construction 194.

The punches 92 are carried by the bars 152 which are carried by the mainplanet bearing construction 140. The bars 150 have openings below thedies 90, as shown in FIGURES 17 and to allow the punchings to drop down.

The offset planet bearing construction 144 is carried by the offset sunwheel construction 202. I

The orientating construction is lever like and includes the stub shafts158A and 160 which causes the punches 92 to be in a constantly fixeddownward oriented direction.

The stub shafts 158A are coaxial with the main planet axes 145 and thestub shafts 160 are coaxial with the offset planet axis 161. Stub shafts158A rotate about radii 83A and stub shafts 160 rotate about radii 136Ato provide a constantly fixed downward direction of the punches 92.

The same detailed description is applicable to the strip altering toolconstruction 42 except that slitting knives are provided instead of thepunches and dies of construction just described.

Means are provided positively to align the bars 150 and 152 as theyapproach each other. Pin constructions 204 are provided on bars 152 andsocket constructions 206 are provided on bars 150. The pins 204 aretapered at the ends 208. The pins 204 and sockets 206 begin to telescopeat the early part B, FIGURE 8, of the angle A and remain telescopedsubstantially to the final part C of such angle. This insures properalignment of the punches 92 and dies (or the knives 94, 96) when theyare acting on the strip 38.

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic showing specific to the upper cylindricalmembers 84 and 88. However, in inverted position it is also applicableto the lower cylindrical members 82 and 36. The main sun axis is shownat 83 and the offset axis is shown at 136. The main planet axes areshown at 145 and the offset planet axes are shown at 161. Thisillustrates how each corresponding main sun axis 145 is constantlyoriented above its corresponding offset planet axis 161 to maintain itspunches 92 or knife 96 constantly oriented downwardly.

If FIGURE 10 were inverted it would illustrate how each main planet axis139 would be constantly oriented below its corresponding offset planetaxis 143 to maintain the punches 90 or knife 94 constantly orientedupwardly.

Means are provided to adjust the relative rotational positions betweeneach of the sun constructions or generally cylindrical members 82, 84,86 and 88 and each of their corresponding driving gears 120, 122, 128and 126 (FIGURES 3, 5, 14, 15 and 16).

A plurality of securing screw bolts 208, with hollow hex heads 210, andlock washers 212, FIGURES 14- and 16, lock and secure the sleeve portion180 to the gear wheel 120. The bolts 208 are screw threaded at 214 tothe gear wheel 120. The heads 210 and washers 212 are located in largerslots 216 and bear against the shoulder 218 of the smaller slot 220 inthe sleeve portion 180.

When the bolts 208 are tightened, the sleeve portion 180 is locked tothe gear wheel 120.

However, when the bolts 208 are loose, the adjusting means 222, FIGURES14 and 15, may be operated to vary the rotational relationship betweenthe gear and the portion 180 of the sleeve 176, 178 and 180. After theadjustment is made, then the bolts 208 may be tightened to lock thecorrectly adjusted gear 120 and sleeve portion 180.

The same type of adjustment is provided for each of the gears 120, 122,126 and 128, FIGURE 3, to provide the correct rotational adjustment ineach of the cylindrical members 32, 84, S6 and 88 to insure correctregister of the punch and dies of members 82, 84 and of the knives 94and 96 of the members 86 and 88.

The adjusting means 222, FIGURES 14 and 15, may include a boltconstruction 224 which has one end 226 secured to the'gear wheel 120 bymeans of the nut and lock washer 228 and hex head 230. The end 232 ofbolt construction 224 passes through the slot 234 in the sleeve portionof the sleeve 176, 178 and 180. The end 232 has opposite arched sides238 to receive the ends of the adjusting screws 240 which are screwthreaded in brackets 242 and are locked by lock nuts 244.

The sleeve portion 130 may therefore be rotationally adjusted withrespect to the gear wheel 120 by loosening the bolts 208 and adjustingthe screws 240, FIG- URES 14, 15. This causes a rotational adjustmentalong the slots 220 and 234. When the proper adjustment has been made toproduce the proper synchronization and alignment between the punches 92and dies 90, or between the knives 94 and 96, as the case may be, then 9the nuts 224 and bolts 268 may be tightened to preserve the adjustment.

Each of the cylindrical members 82, 84, 86 and 88, FIGURE 3, may beprovided with the adjustment of FIGURES 14-16 which has beenspecifically described only in connection with the cylindrical member82. However, this specific description in connection with member 82 isintended to he illustrative of similar adjustnients for members 84, 86and 88.

It is thus to be seen that a new and useful apparatus and method havebeen provided to produce spaced op ings and bridging slits in stripmaterial and the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed, asrequired by the statutes, other forms may he used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

ll. In combination: a stationary support shaft having a main sun hearingconstruction surrounding a main sun axis, said shaft having an offsetsun hearing construction surrounding an offset sun axis parallel withsaid main sun axis; a main sun sleeve construction rotatable on saidmain sun bearing construction; an olfset sun wheel constructionrotatable on said ofiset sun bearing construction; a main planet bearingconstruction carried by said main sun sleeve; a strip altering toolconstruction carried on said main planet bearing construction; an offsetplanet bearing construction car ried by said offset sun wheelconstruction; an orienting lever construction with a fulcrum secured tosaid strip severing construction and having a handle rotatably held bysaid offset planet bearing construction to cause said tool constructionto rotate in a constantly fixed oriented direction about said main sunaxis.

2. In combination: a pair of mutually cooperating strip punching membersto punch pairs of opposite openings along and adjacent opposite edges ofa strip each pair of opposite openings being located substantially atright angles to said edges of said strip; and a pair of mutuallycooperating straight stripslitting members to slit straight slits insaid strip between said pairs of openings, said openings being at theends of said slits, and at right angles to said edges of said strip.

3. A combination according to claim 2 in which means are provided tomove said strip past said punching members and slitting members atsubstantially uniform speed.

4. A combination according to claim 3 in which means are provided tomove said punching members and slitting members in circular orbits whilemaintaining said punching members and slitting members in constantlyfixed oriented directions; and in which means are provided to maintainsaid punching and slitting members in synchronism with said strip whilesaid strip is being punched and slitted by said punching and slittingmemhers,

5. A combination according to claim 4 in which there are a plurality ofsaid pairs of cooperating strip punching members in each respectivecircular orbit and in which there are a plurality of said pairs ofcooperating straight strip slitting members in each respective circularorbit, and in which said orbits are changed in rotation speed duringeach punching and slitting operation and during each complete rotationof said orbits to maintain said punching and slitting members insynchronism with said unifonm speed of said strip.

6. A method comprising punching pairs of opposite openings along andadjacent opposite edges of a strp, each pair of opposite openings beinglocated substantially at right angles to said edges of said strip; and

10 slitting straight slits in said strip to and between said pair ofopposite openings and at right angles to said edges of said strip and inwhich said strip is moved longitudinally and said openings and slits arepunched and slitted in said strip While it is being movedlongitudinally.

7. A method according to claim 6 in which said strip is moved at auniform speed and in which said openings are punched by punches and dieswhich rotate about respective axes in a constantly fixed orienteddirection and move in synchronization with said strip while punchingsaid openings.

8. A method according to claim 7 in which said slits are slitted byslitting members which rotate about respective axes in a constantlyfixed oriented direction and move in synchronization with said stripwhile slitting said slits.

9. A method according to claim 8 in which there are a plurality of saidpunches and dies and in which a plurality of slitting members arerotated about respective axes and in which the speed of rotation of saidplurality of punches and dies and of said plurality of slit ting membersis changed during each punching and slitting operation and during eachcomplete rotation to maintain said synchronization with said uniformspeed of said strip.

11?. In combination: opening punching means for punching pairs ofopposite openings along and adjacent opposite edges of a strip, eachpair of opposite openings being. located substantially at right anglesto said edges of said strip; and straight slit producing means forslitting straightslits in said strip to and between said pairs ofopenings and at right angles to said edges of said strip, and in whichmoving means are provided to move said strip longitudinally at uniformspeed while said openings and slits are punched and slitted in saidstrip.

H. A combination according to claim ltl in which said opening punchingmeans includes punches and dies which rotate about respective axes in aconstantly fixed oriented direction and move in synchronization withsaid strip while producing said openings.

12. A combination according to claim 11 in which said slit slittingmeans rotate about respective axes in a constantly fixed direction andmove in synchronization with said strip while producing said slits.

13. A combination according to claim 12 in which there are a pluralityof punches and dies and a plurality of slitting means rotated aboutrespective axes and in which the speed rotation of said plurality ofpunches and dies and of said slitting means is changed during eachpunching and slitting operation and during each complete rotation tomaintain said synchronization with said uniform speed of said strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,286,377 12/1918Malm 83-300 1,303,371 5/1919 Novick 83-911 X 1,532,538 4/1925 Langston83-302 2,162,925 6/1939 Weiss 83519 2,245,442 6/1941 Morgan 83324 X2,600,834 6/1952 Blair 83-40 3,066,542 12/1962 Einhiple 83-328 X WILLIAMW. DYER, JR, Primary Examiner. LEON PEAR, Examiner.

L. B. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION: A STATIONARY SUPPORT SHAFT HAVING A MAIN SUN BEARINGCONSTRUCTION SURROUNDING A MAIN SUN AXIS, SAID SHAFT HAVING AN OFFSETSUN BEARING CONSTRUCTION SURROUNDING AN OFFSET SUN AXIS PARALLEL WITHSAID MAIN SUN AXIS; A MAIN SUN SLEEVE CONSTRUCTION ROTATABLE ON SAIDMAIN SUN BEARING CONSTRUCTION; AN OFFSET SUN WHEEL CONSTRUCTIONROTATABLE ON SAID OFFSET SUN BEARING CONSTRUCTION; A MAIN PLANET BEARINGCONSTRUCTION CARRIED BY SAID MAIN SUN SLEEVE; A STRIP ALTERING TOOLCONSTRUCTION CARRIED ON SAID MAIN PLANET BEARING CONSTRUCTION; AN OFFSETPLANET BEARING CONSTRUCTION CARRIED BY SAID OFFSET SUN WHEELCONSTRUCTION; AN ORIENTING LEVER CONTRUCTION WITH A FULCRUM SECURED TOSAID STRIP SEVERING CONSTRUCTION AND HAVING A HANDLE ROTATABLY HELD BYSAID OFFSET PLANET BEARING CONSTRUCTION TO CAUSE SAID TOOL CONSTRUCTIONTO ROTATE IN A CONSTANTLY FIXED ORIENTED DIRECTION ABOUT SAID MAIN SUNAXIS.